Hey fellas,
What kind of incentives do you offer customers who say that they might have a neighbor who is interested in scheduling?
Also, what kind of time-frame do you give them to sign them up because I want a set schedule sooner rather than later.
Right now, we’re pretty slow so we don’t try to be too pushy or anything. We take what we can get, but there has to be a better process than what I’m doing.
I was giving 10% off for each referral, but I actually had people refuse the discount.
I don’t give referral discounts anymore. I find that people just want to do me a favor and recommend their friends.
I’m trying to give less and less money away!
WOW. That says alot about you and your service.
Read “Predictably Irrational” by Dan Ariely and you will understand why people are much more likely to help you with referrals if you DON’T offer to pay them.
I haven’t read that book or used any referral programs so far, but my theory is exactly like that, they’ll refer you if they feel like you did a good job. They won’t refer you that much thinking that you might believe that they did it only for the money. An my market couldn’t care less for a $25 discount to be honest. If I have to assume my customer position I’d do the same, I’ll refer someone to that guy and doing that you’ll create an obligation on the service provider to care more about you, since you are a good customer and bring more people to his company, generating him extra $$$.
I Offer 10 bucks off for each referal up to 100.00 max (or 10 referals)
I haven’t read that book but I would imagine some people feel like you are buying business instead of earning it. Or maybe they feel like you are trying to buy the contact info. I always feel funny about those offers of free gifts for referrals. I feel a little dirty.:o
Will GG3 or GG4 clean that up???
windowman
Definitely good for the window to your soul!
i’ve never given $ off for referrals but i offer a free window cleaning to the customer who gets me a referral. That ,they seem to appreciate.But I am careful which customers i give it to…i’m not going to do a $500.00 job free…for a 50.00 referral…The local mall manager referred me to an eatnpark restaurant that was built next to the mall…i got that acct along with another in the next state, so i gave him a free house window cleaning, i did a $40.00 acct free in exchange for 2 really good accts done 2x month…but if you do a good job and they like you (i think personality has a lot with getting accts too) they will refer you regardless of the promotion:)
I’m curious what a $40 house looks like.
Nice reference Thad, that’s one of my favorite books right now
I’m curious what a $40 house looks like.
small 1 story 15 min job…i’ve got a lot of them…
sorry, still trying to figure out the quote thing…i’m new here…
welcome friend
There is a guy named Howard Partridge and he owns Clean as a Whistle Carpet cleaning in houston.
He also has a carpet cleaning coaching “round table” club thing like a lot of gurus in an industry have. He does 2.2 million a year and has 10-15 vans.
I’ve heard webinars and videos of him telling people to create a referral “system.” He gives 10% of the job to the person that referrs him work. So if they referr him a $500.00 job then he sends them a certificate (a real nice one) and a card or something saying something like “This card represents $50.00 toward your next cleaning OR if you send it in to the company we’ll send you a check.”
I don’t know…I guess I’m thinking of a quote I can’t remember by who but it says “Success leaves a trail.” I plan on following those who are already successful. 2.2 million is a lot of good choices and systems in place.
I don’t see a problem with rewarding people for good behavior. It seems to work for this guy in his carpet cleaning business. Can it not work for us in the window washing business?
Deland
Hi deland,
Just watched your video on the referral system. How’s that working out for you…?
It’s going great! Sending out heartfelt cards wins everytime when there is nothing attached to it, just sincerity.
To make sure I don’t ramble is there anything specific you would like to know?
Deland
I love the idea of getting more business. However, it just seems like people are too smart to not see through a birthday card or a happy easter card from their window cleaner…
I want to buy into it man, but I just don’t see it getting me anywhere.
Do you have statistics that show a drastic increase in the amount of referrals that you’ve received, or does it just feel like people like you more?
Again, don’t take this message the wrong way, I want to believe that referral marketing is the way to go, but there are just too many doubts in my mind at this point.
Thanks deland
Many of the homes I clean windows at have $40 walk in closets. jk
